Snapper

Yep, there's no getting away from it, if I'm going to try and improve the ride on this bike then it is going to cost 😐. So, I have decided to get a custom-made 'NR4' rear shock from Maxton ... https://www.maxtonsuspension.co.uk/files/nr4.html Not cheap, but if this doesn't improve the ride then nothing else is likely to. I'll leave doing anything with the front until I've fitted and tried the new shock. Thanks for all of the input on this one 🙂 .

Thanks for all of you replies 🙂 . It seems that there is no standard shock from any other generation of VFR that will drop straight into the fifth gen bike, so I know now that I need to concentrate my search on those designed specifically for that model. That said, I don't really know how worn my shock is, so I probably need to get an expert to look at it first.

Well, that's more within my price range. Even a new 'stock' replacement would be an option, as long as it fits the 5th gen (albeit with a spacer, maybe) 😐 ... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-BLACKBIRD-CBR1100XX-YSS-REAR-SHOCK-ABSORBER-97-07-New/302019120877?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Thanks for the input, folks 🙂! I'm based in the UK and on a budget, so going to DMR isn't an option for me (due to shipping/import costs), sadly. I know that I can get a custom made shock here for around about £500, but having splashed out a lot of money on this (old) bike already, I can't really justify that. Finding a shock that provides a moderate improvement at a bargain price is all I was really thinking about. Anyway, I am tall and heavy, so I would need a 'heavier' spring rather than anything lighter and shorter than stock. Must do some more research, or else forget the whole idea and just ride slower 😐.

Just wondering what options I have for changing the (worn out) rear shock on my VFR800Fi (2001) 🙂. There are several used ones from later models for sale locally, but I don't know if any of them fit or can be modded to fit. What do you folks know 😀 ?

That was quick 🙂 !

😋 Yes, we are lucky over here in Europe to have the option of Tahitian Blue - it really does look amazing, especially in artificial light.

The outer diameter of the spacer is 15mm and that 15mm wide section is 30mm long. Beyond that, the diameter shrinks down to form a 'sleeve' (I don't know the diameter, I'm afraid) over the bolt and that part extends only about 10-12mm (from memory) into the bodywork. I would guess that the end part is about 7mm thick!? Hope that helps a bit, Ken 😐.

It's not the shortest muffler in that style that Black Widow make - they do a 200mm version, too (as well as a longer, 400mm one). As for the registration plate, it's a funny thing, but I always tend to 'go with the flow' and try and hide that when I post pictures of the bike on the Internet ☺️ . I figure that, since so many people do that, there must be a good reason for it ... that I just haven't figured out for myself yet 😋.

After a fair bit of online research, I opted for a Black Widow high-level, 300mm, carbon-end, stainless steel silencer kit for my 2001 VFR 🙂. I'm glad that I did, as the build quality, service and end result were all above my expectations. In particular, I like the way that this silencer is just the right length to finish level with the rear number plate, as well as the fact that it sits tight up underneath the seat and doesn't point outwards at the end (as some competitor's pipes are reported to do). OK, I admit that it took a little bit of fettling (and cutting away of a small section of the seat cowl and plastic under-seat tray), but I managed to do that using nothing more than a Stanley knife! Black Widow make a bewildering array of exhausts for the VFR800, from end cans to full systems and prices start from as little as £114.99 for a standard style (low mount) silencer and mid-section pipe (all in stainless steel, of course). I reckon that's pretty amazing value (if you happen to be based in the UK 😉). https://www.blackwidowexhausts.co.uk/vfr800f-vfr-800-1997-2003-rc46-520-c.asp Personally, I found the (enormous) sticker that was affixed to the can a little bit too close to being a copy of the Akrapovic logo and not very subtle, so I simply peeled it off (sorry Black Widow 😞). It looks far more like the silencer might have actually come with the bike when you see it without any branding on (sorry for the poor attempt at blanking out number plate in the final photo 😊). Anyway, I just wanted to share all that, as there doesn't seem to be much information on here about aftermarket pipes that are available outside the US. Here it is ...

My first attempt at fitting a voltmeter involved using this rather 'Radio Shack' looking, multi-LED device, which I mounted on the bracket for the heated grips controller ... However, it was hard to read and so I finally decided to take the plunge and have a hole cut in the right hand side fairing, so that my brother could kindly fit this one for me ... It is easy to read and very conveniently covers over a spot where I spilled some brake fluid on the paintwork .

Thanks for the info, but to be honest I am only looking for a cheap upgrade . There are loads of LED bulbs out there for a couple of quid, which claim to fit most pre-2000 vehicles, but I'd rather hear from someone who's already tried a few (if possible).

Simple question, but is there a simple answer !? I have a European spec 5th generation VFR800 and I am wondering if there might be reliable and effective replacement LED bulbs available for the indicator lights (382 type bulbs) and the stop/tail lamps (380 type). Does anyone have any experience with trying LED bulbs in these positions and if so, did it work without modification, or fail to work? Links to specific bulbs/sellers would also be useful. Thanks, in advance, for your input .

I was too afraid to cut holes in my lovely new (to me) VFR800, so I decided to go 'old school' and fit an LED voltmeter to the mounting bracket for my heated grips. The end result may look a bit 'Radio Shack', but I think that the two units match each other very well and that the LEDs don't really look out of place next to the heated grip control. YMMV , of course. Thanks a lot Photobucket !